My Mute Bride

Not long after Victor left, Rachel heard the doorbell ring.

Originally thinking he left something behind, she opened the door, only to see a courier.

“Ms. Rachel Hudson?”

Upon hearing that, Rachel nodded.

“There are two intracity express parcels for you. Please sign here.”

Startled, she signed for the parcels, thereafter receiving a cake and a paper bag.

Right now on the table, there was still half an uneaten cake that Victor had rushed out to buy at noon upon finding out it was her birthday.

So, who bought the cake that the courier delivered?

Setting it aside on the table for now, she pulled a rectangular suede box out of the paper bag.

With a click, she opened it and discovered a silver-colored necklace in the box that glimmered underneath the light

The pendant was in the simple design of a small sun with a hollow center.

Putting down the box, she found a card on top of the cake box that simply read ‘Happy Birthday’ without any signature.

Dumbfounded, she stared at the items until her phone started vibrating.

It was a text message from Julian reading, ‘Did you receive what I sent?’

Immediately, she understood. ‘I did. I was wondering who would remember my birthday.’

‘Don’t forget that you’re a patient of mine. It’s not strange that I would remember your birthday.’

‘Thank you.

‘You’re welcome. Are you free? I just finished work; come down for a walk with me!

Looking at the time, she agreed, ‘Okay.’

At this hour after dinner, the community was lively. All of the houses were lit up, and the sound of children laughing could be heard around the neighborhood as they ran around playing.

table and opened it. Before she could even offer some to anyone, a group of

is so pretty,

a knife and a paper plate, preparing to cut into the cake for the

to the side. “Today

the head of the group, which happened to be a little girl in pigtails, immediately said, “Wish Miss Rachel a

must sing the ‘Happy Birthday’

must close her eyes and make a

Rachel must blow out the

that there

the children sing ‘Happy Birthday’ in unison. The delicate chorus of young

“Make a wish.”

There’s no need.

mommy says you have to say it in your heart and not out loud, or the wish won’t come true,” a very young voice piped up

she lowered her head to look, she found a little girl who wasn’t even at table height yet looking up at

gazes of the children, clasped her hands and made a wish. After that, she blew out the candles and

thank you!”

plates, the children raced off, dabbing icing on each other’s faces. Just like that, the strangers in the community suddenly seemed closer and the

smiled for the first time

building, Julian continued, “The most important thing right now is to take care of your body and your mood. You don’t need to worry

anyway, so I might as well pretend it never existed for now. At that point, Rachel’s

upstairs, then. It’s been getting colder lately, so make sure to keep warm

and headed toward the

she was inside her apartment and about

loud slam, the door was propped open by a large hand from

face made

out on

he slid sideways into the house and shut the door before

“I see you’ve been getting along

two steps

at her resentfully, he stalked toward her as he pulled off his necktie and threw it onto the couch.

were like unmelting icebergs as he sneered, “I suppose you wouldn’t want me to

by step he approached her, forcing her back inch by

Rachel had no idea what she did

arm and pulled, she staggered after him and was dragged all the